A Virginia Town On The Shores Of The Chesapeake Bay Has A Scenic Beach And Nature Preserve

The Cape is famous for its protected shoreline, long beach, historic village, and fresh-from-the-water seafood. But this is not, surprisingly, Cape Cod, the hook-shaped peninsula in Massachusetts. This is Virginia's Cape. Welcome to Cape Charles.

Cape Charles is a small town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It lies 13 miles north of the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a 17.6-mile system that connects Virginia's mainland with its Eastern Shore. Another 25 miles will bring you to the closest major airport. Norfolk International Airport (ORF) receives nonstop flights from cities all over the United States. Between the distance and the tolls, it would be an expensive taxi ride between the airport and Cape Charles, though. Besides, you will want a rental car for exploring the coastline.

After crossing over to the Eastern Shore, you will pass Kiptopeke State Park. Add this underrated state park, which has a unique and creepy secret, to your itinerary for the next few days. Then, as you drive into the center of town, you will immediately feel like you are surrounded by water. You almost are. Cape Charles sits on a small peninsula, which is bordered by King's Creek to the north, Old Plantation Creek to the southeast, and the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the country, to the west. The air is always thick with salt.

The center of town is the Cape Charles Historic District. The planned community was constructed in the late 19th century when the Pennsylvania Railroad was extended down the Eastern Shore. It is still lined with Victorian-era buildings. They are now filled with art galleries, bookstores, candy shops, and small inns. They were also placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Though historic, Cape Charles is by no means stuffy. It could not be with so much going on around the water. The historic district is bordered by the Cape Charles Town Beach. This is the only public beach on the Eastern Shore of Virginia that does not charge a fee to enter or park. It has calm, shallow water, which makes it a great beach for families. Plus, it has a huge LOVE sign. The Virginia Tourism Corporation commissioned artists to create these pieces, called "LOVEwork," all over the state. This one incorporates local materials, including sea glass and crab pots, right at the edge of the beach. Be sure to stop at Peach Beach Shave Ice for a Hawaiian-style shave ice after playing on the beach. Its vintage yellow camper is parked just steps from the sand.

As you round the corner from the Cape Charles Town Beach into the Cape Charles Harbor, you will see the boat-filled marina, watersports, and waterfront restaurants. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards at Poseidon Watersports before enjoying a seafood feast on the Shanty's patio.

After a first, hot day in the sun, you might be looking for some shade the next morning. The Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve, on the south side of the Cape Charles Harbor, is the perfect respite. The 29-acre preserve is a maritime dune woodland. It has an elevated boardwalk that weaves through a Maritime Loblolly Pine Forest and out to a low bluff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The easy path is less than a mile round-trip, though you will want to take your time looking for birds that feed and rest along the Mid-Atlantic coastline. 

You cannot access the beach at the end of the boardwalk, but you can enjoy the beautiful view until dusk. As you stare out over the calm water, you will probably wonder what other gems are hidden along the bay. Kilmarnock, on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, is one of the most charming small towns to visit in Virginia. Be sure to stroll down its vibrant Steptoe's District. Plus, farther south in Sandbridge, you can avoid crowds at this overlooked East Coast beach. It has a national wildlife refuge and a state park, in addition to its five-mile beach. You will enjoy it almost as much as Cape Charles. Almost. It would be hard to beat Virginia's Cape.